対 means “versus, opposite”

たい · tai

Also: vis-a-vis, even, equal

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

あいて, こたえる, そろい, つれあい, ならぶ

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

タイ, ツイ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 7 strokes

The story

A hand (寸) holding a pattern (文) up against another: picture two things set face to face. 対 is the versus on Japanese scoreboards, where 3対1 reads san tai ichi, and 絶対, "nothing set against it", means absolutely.

Used in 反対 (hantai, opposite/opposition), 絶対 (zettai, absolutely), and 対応 (taiou, response/handling)

More from Council & Debate

• 定 fix
• 選 choose
• 決 decide
• 反 against
• 判 judgment
• 認 recognize
• 参 join
• 論 argument
• 投 throw
• 談 talk
• 可 possible
• 断 refuse

Learn 対 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.